Archive for the ‘Travel Exploration Morocco’ Category

Ouarzazate has always been a cultural meeting place and melting pot for the various peoples of the North and South for trade and cultural exchanges. Merchants settled in the city of Ouarzazate and excavations have found gold and precious metals. The town thrived on the Saharan camel trade routes coming up form Africa via Timbuktu and the ancient city of Sijilmasa. Slaves and gold were traded for salt and the ethnic mix of Ouarzazate reflects the many different tribes that have passed through with descendants from Mali and further a field. Berbers, Africans and Jewish Berber tribes lived side by side for centuries in Morocco.

Ouarzazate nicknamed The door of the desert ( the name means”without noise” or “without confusion”), is a city and capital of Ouarzazate Province in the Souss-Massa-Drâa of southern-central Morocco. Ouarzazate is located at an elevation of 1,160 metres (3,810 ft) in the middle of a bare plateau south of the High Atlas Mountains. To the south of the town is the desert. Trips to Mezouga with camel treks and campsites where one can spend the night under the stars are especially popular as are Sahara Desert 4X4 expeditions.

The town of some 60,000 retains a sense of adventure and excitement that one remembers from driving across southern Morocco in the early 1980’s it is still not too commercialized when compared to Marrakech. It has grown dramatically over the years and now has its own airport and is a major tourist center. Some 80,000 tourists visited Ouarzazate in the first three months of 2012 according to the local tourism authority. The town several five star hotels as well as 5 Star Moroccan Riads along with less expensive accommodations.

Ouarzazate Medina

The town is not totally focused on tourism, which gives it a certain attractive independence, for Ouazarzate is Morocco’s Hollywood and the centre of its film industry. The town boasts three film studios one of which, Atlas Studios is one of the largest movie studios in the world. Several historical movies were shot here, including Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel. It was also the location of an episode of the television series The Amazing Race 10.

American director Ridley Scott, has shot several films in Morocco including the historical epic “Gladiator” (2000), “Kingdom of Heaven” (2003), “Black Hawk Down” (2001), and the spy thriller “Body of Lies” (2007). He has a special affinity for the Ouazarzate film industry and is rumoured to be returning shortly to make another blockbuster. International Filmmakers have been coming to Morocco for years because of its dramatic scenary, which is particularly evident round Ouzarazate and the Draa Valley

The Ouarzazate area is also a noted film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their films. Films such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Kundun (1997), Legionnaire (1998), and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011) were shot here. Salmon Fishing in Yemen, British inspirational romantic drama film directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas and Amr Waked, it has done well earning over $36 million dollars so far. It involved the creation of an artificial lake in a canyon just outside Ouarzazate. Such was the film’s success that the Yemeni tourist board felt compelled to make a public announcement that there are, actually, no salmon in their country. A film made by Al Jazeera Televison,“Casting In’shallah” follows the lives of Ouzarzazate’s citizens as they await their next role in a film.

The Draa valley is especially famous for its kasbahs. The most famous kasbahs including the kasbahs of Tamnougalt (the kasbah of Caïd Ali) and Aït Hammou Ousaid (or Mouha ou Hammou Zayani) near Agdz. The kasbah of Caïd Ouslim and Oulad Outhmane in Tamezmout. Foum Achnna and N’Kob in Tinzouline, Tat Ifli in Beni Zouli, Amezrou, of Aït Ali Tighramt Ouziguen and of Laglaoui in Zagora.The kasbah of Agouim Nouaadjou and Tagounite,Aït Bounou, LaAllouj, Oulad Driss and Rgabi in M’hamid El Ghuzlane.

Imposing Kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou which is a World Heritage Site and has been used for films like Lawrence of Arabia and The Gladiator. On the way to Marrakesh just beforethe Tiz N’Test pass is the crumbling ruin of the Pasha Thami el Glaoui’s Kasbah at Telouet. He ruled as Pasha of Marrakesh and governor of the South during the French Protectorate from 1912 -1956. There is also the kasbah of Taourirt in Ouzarzazate which was the Kasbah of the former caïd and later owned by T’hami El Glaoui. The Krupps field gun which secured Glaoui power in a deal with the Sultan caught in bad weaher on the Tiz N’Test pass, is displayed outside the kasbah today.

The road south to Zagora and also to the east there are ksours and ancient Jewish mellahs as well as Kasbahs. Seeing them reminds of the fantastic and sometimes turblent history of Morocco.

Draa Valley, Mountain View Morocco

The Draa river is Morocco’s longest river (1,100 km). It is formed by the meeting of the Dadès River and Imini River. It flows from the High Atlas mountains south-(east)ward to Tagounit and from Tagounit mostly westwards to the Atlantic Ocean north of Tan-Tan. Most of the year the part of the Draa after Tagounit falls dry.

It is also famous as the date basket of Morocco. It grows more than 18 varieties. Fruit trees and vegetables are the main crops but henna is also a well known product of the region. The agriculture is very labour intensive because it takes place on terraced fields.

Seguias (small canals) transport the water from the river to the fields. Like some other ancient Berber oases in North Africa (Siwa, Kufra, Ouargla) the Draa valley was known for its qatarra, a sophisticated system of underground irrigation canals. The Draa Valley allows the visitor to appreciate the beauty of rural Morocco and its timeless pastoral life.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

The Port of Agadir is filled with various cruise ships that dock offering cruise critics and cruise ship travelers the opportunity to take in the sites and sounds of Agaidr on an Agadir One-day Tour. Two cruise ships that frequent the Agadir Port often are the Oceania Marina and the Oceania Riviera. These Mediterranean cruises stop in Monte Carlo, Naples, Casablanca along with other a select group of other Ports in the region. Most of the Mediterranean cruises offer Agadir One-day Tours and excursions for large groups. As a cruise ship traveler if you prefer not to participate in a large group then considering a private Agadir One-day Tour or Excursion with Morocco Travel Experts is a good choice. An Agadir One-day Tour offers the opportunity to discover the sites and sound of this Berber city with a private driver from Agadir and an English, Multilingual Speaking Licensed Guide from Agadir.

Agadir Port

Agadir, often referred to as the Cote D’Zur or Cannes of Morocco is one of the best resorts to enjoy Moroccan and international gastronomy. Agadir offers many activities such as, golf, sailing, tennis, horse and camel riding. Being the number one tourist resort in Morocco, Agadir offers a fantastic night life with the latest laser light show, night clubs, discos and casinos. Another claim of this clean and modern city is the Timitar Music festival which takes place each July.

Agadir One-day Tour Itinerary

► Pick up at your Hotel or the Port in Agadir.

►Visit the Valley of the Birds. The Valley of the Birds has pleasant, lush vegetation that draws in birds throughout the year. There is also a waterfall, zoo and aviary.

►Next, visit the oldKasbah on a hill 7km to the northwest of the town, commands good views over the port. It was built in 1540 by the Saadian Sultan Mohammed ech-Cheikh, and restored and regarrisoned in 1752 by the Alawite Sultan Moulay Abdallah, who was responsible for the demise of Agadir as a trade depot. Abandoned to the inhabitants of Agadir, the garrison provided housing for nearly 300 people, and traces of these dwellings can still be made out.

The grassy area below the kasbah, Ancienne Talborjt, covers the remains of Agadir’s medina and constitutes a mass grave for all those who died in the 1960 earthquake.

►The small Musée du Patrimoine Amazigh has an excellent display of Berber artefacts, especially strong on jewellery. Inspired by Bert Flint, the Dutch owner of the Maison Tiskiwin in Marrakesh, this is a great place to learn about the traditional life and culture of the Berber people of the region. A free guided tour can be arranged on request (a tip is welcome).

►Enjoy lunch at the Port or in one of Agadir’s beachside cafes with views of the sea. Other options are La Scalla, an upscale top notch seafood restaurant or Mauresque, charming atmosphere and traditional Moroccan cuisine with an International flair.

► Head four kilometres south, on the Inezgane road, Coco Polizzi, a Rabat-born Italian architect, has created the La Médina d’Agadir, an idealised Berber village, built using traditional techniques and materials, with workshops for 30 independent artisans.

► If arrival on Thursdays, end your day with a visit of the Immozer. Return to your Cruise ship or Hotel.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Visit Marrakech, Morocco for an exclusive, luxury women only retreat package September 8th – 14th, 2012. Morocco’s Harem retreat was founded by Sandra Zwollo, a long time resident of Marrakech and passionate believer in women’s well being.

On the Outskirts of the fabled Red City of Marrakech, Harem promises to pamper its guests like no Sultan ever could. Covered in Russian Vogue, Elle Italy, German Architectural Digest, the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune as one or Marrakech’s most unique and original travel experiences Harem is the premiere Marrakech retreat package for women only. This Marrakech retreat package is ideal for single women traveling alone or for friends who want to share a women’s Marrakech retreat experience together.

Don’t miss out on this “new ladies only retreat in Marrakech that will take care of any pampering needs” -Vanity Fair England

The Harem Concept – Harem is a luxurious retreat, exclusively for women longing to reinvigorate the body, mind and soul. At the Marrakech Harem Retreat there are no obligations, no restrictions, no demands, no complexes, and no guilt…since eighty per cent of our profits go to a local charity. Harem promises to restore natural rhythms in an environment that is both luxurious and inspiring.

Harem’s Guests – Our guests are women who have demanding careers, challenging studies, busy households, or often all three. They want to rediscover their femininity and strive for a healthy, sensual, balanced life. They have a taste for luxury, but they are also committed to improving the world around them.

Harem’s Venue – Harem retreats are held on a sprawling twenty four-acre private property with stunning landscaped grounds. The secluded estate is filled with imaginative touches and is designed to give guests complete privacy and freedom.

Cuisine at Harem:
Harem’s chef has carefully composed Harem’s menus to give you samples of a light organic cuisine, coupled with Chinese Food Therapy and color themes. She always uses the best of local produce, often grown in our own gardens and her recipes are deliciously varied and healthy. Guests are surprised with seasonal flower tastings and she loves to serve a variety of inventive infusions and herbal teas. Our chef, or one of her assistants will be on call during your entire stay and will be available for Nutritional consultation.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

A Moroccan Musical Soirée is a 10 Days/ 9 Nights Morocco Tour designed for the sophisticated, cultured traveler drawn to discover exotic cities. Accompanied by evenings of charmed and powerful classical music performances and four wine tasting events this boutique Morocco Journey offers a once in a lifetime experience. This unique Morocco Tour created by Travel Exploration Morocco and Aviv Productions takes Classical Music out of its traditional context.

Kasbah, Marrakech La Maison Arabe

March 3rd – 12th, 2013: A Musical Moroccan Soire Tour Itinerary

Your very private party in Morocco awaits you…A spiced infused night cap…..Milk and pettit-fours…..Hot chocolate a la Morocco and fragrant bed time tea.

►Breakfast at your Hotel in Casablanca. Then take the road to Meknes.
►Begin your visit at the 18th Century Meknes Palace built by Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah.
►Enter Place El-Hedime (Square of Ruins) which links the medina and the kasbah.
►Visit the Musée Dar Jamaï, a museum showing modern Moroccan arts, woodwork, ceramics, carpets, costumes, jewelryand metalwork.
►Explore the Bou Inania Medersa’s beautiful Koranic school established by the Merinids in the 14th century. Visit the Grand Mosque, the Thursday Gate (Bab El-Khemis) and Horse Stables.
►Lunch in Meknes. Visit a Winery in Meknes.
►Then take the road to explore the breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis (Walili).
►Once occupied by the Romans, Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ.
Begin your visit by discovering the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology.
►Enjoy tea at the small café that sits just below the Volubilis ruins. Next explore the open-air museum with remains of altars, sculptural fragments and colorful mosaics. Take the road to Fes.►Spend the night at the 5 Star Luxury Riad in Fes.
(Breakfast Included. Lunch & Dinner Not Included.)

Piano, Riad Fes

March 5th: Fes Guided Historical Tour (Jewish Heritage Sites of Fes & UNESCO Monuments)►Breakfast at your Riad in Fes.
►Visit 14th Century Palace Gates of the King and The Royal Palace in Fes.
►Jewish Mellah – The Mellah is a Jewish quarter located in the old cities of Morocco with a walled boundary.
►Ibn Danan Jewish Synagogue
►Jewish Cemetery & Tomb of Solica
►Walk through one of the oldest and most beautiful preserved Jewish streets in Morocco from the time of the inquisition.
►Rcife – Enter the medina from a “bab” or region of the old medina, Fes el Bali known as Rcife which is the heart of manufacturing of all Fassis goods.
►Dyers souk of silk, wool and cotton
►Seffraine Square – Place el-Seffarine
►The Tannery
► Lunch at a Traditional Moroccan Restaurant in Fes- 5 Course Meal
► The Bou Inania Medersa
► Pottery & Zellij Tile Cooperative
►Dinner at your Riad or one of Fes Best Restaurants

▶Dinner in Fes. Your Riad or one of Fes Best Restaurants.
►Spend the night at the 5 Star Luxury Riad in Fes.
(Breakfast Included. Lunch & Dinner Not Included.)

March 7th: Fes – Ifrane – Azro – Beni Mellal –►Breakfast at your Riad.
►En route to Marrakech visit Ifrane, “little Switzerland.” Tea and Pastries surrounded by Moroccan architecture and orange grooves.
►Lunch in Beni Mellal.
►Continue the road and arrive in Marrakech in the early evening.
►Check into your Riad that is centrally located, explore the Djemma El Fna Square on your own.▶Dinner in Marrakech. Your Riad or one of Marrakech Best Restaurants.
►Spend the night at the 5 Star Luxury Riad in Marrakech.
(Breakfast Included. Lunch & Dinner Not Included.)

Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech

March 8th: Marrakech Guided Historical Tour►Breakfast at your Riad. Visit the following sites during a Marrakech Guided Historical Tour.►The Majorelle Gardens – The Majorelle Garden is a twelve acre botanical garden. Previously the Jardin Bou Saf, it bears its name from its original creator, Jacques Majorelle, the French expatriate artist who was born in Nancy France in 1886. The garden has been open to the public since 1947. Since 1980 the garden has been owned by Yves Saint- Laurent and Pierre Berge.
►The Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens – The largest mosque in Marrakech, Morocco. The name is derived from the Arabic al-Koutoubiyyin for librarian, since it used to be surrounded by sellers of manuscripts. It is considered the ultimate structure of its kind.
►The Saadian Tombs – The Saadian tombs in Marrakech date back from the time of the sultan Ahmad al -Mansur. The tombs were only recently discovered (in 1917) and were restored by the Beaux-arts service.
►El Bahia Palace – The El Bahia Palace in Marrakech is a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century that represents trends and standards of the wealthy who lived at that time.
►The Jewish Mellah – Founded in 1558 by Moulay Abdallah, the Mellah district was designated as the Jewish quarter in Marrakech. At the time of the Spanish religious wars, Jewish refugees were escaping the country, and were offered this little piece of security by the Sultan.
►The Old Spice Market – The Rahba Kedima is a colorful market filled with a wide array of spices from Cumin, Cinnamon, Saffron, Dried Pepper and more.►Maison Tiskiwin Musuem – This museum belonged to Mr. Bert Flint who was a collector of local Marrakech art. The museum is open to the public and the travelers and exhibits basket works, jewelry, textiles and many other things. An excellent compilation of Moroccan art and artifacts is housed in the Maison Tiskiwin museum.▶Dinner in Marrakech. Your Riad or one of Marrakech Best Restaurants.
►Spend the night at the 5 Star Luxury Riad in Marrakech.
(Breakfast Included. Lunch & Dinner Not Included.)

March 9th: Marrakech Guided Garden Visit or Cooking Class Option►Rise, have breakfast at your Riad
►Morning Option: Attend a cooking lesson using Moroccan Spices & Moroccan Tajine from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
►Visit Marrakech’s Menara Gardens. Have a leisurely walk through the gardens. The Menara Gardens are located to the west of Marrakech at the gates of the Atlas Mountains.

►Next, head to The Mamounia Hotel & Gardens for Tea & Lunch. La Mamounia is where Alfred Hitchcock wrote the movie “The Birds.”
►After lunch at La Mamounia spend the day exploring Marrakech on your own or with your guide shopping in the Djemma.

March 10th: Marrakech – Ourika Valley Excursion►Breakfast at your Riad. Explore Marrakech on your own or visit the Ourika Valley’s Setti Fatima’s Seven Waterfalls. ►Take a day off from the “red hamra” city and head southeast of Marrakech. Visit the Souk Tnine de L’orika, the gateway to the pleasant Ourika Valley.
►The souk, located near a picturesque zaouia with a rock drop background, has the largest souk of the valley every Monday. Your driver will stop and browse at local crafts and other Moroccan treasures.
►Visit the Setti Fatma 7 Waterfalls, a favorite weekend resort of many Marrakshis that is appreciated for its beautiful streams and falls. Hike in Ourika.
►Have lunch near the Setti Fatma Cascades in a traditional Moroccan restaurant or have a picnic near the lake.

▶Dinner in Marrakech. Your Riad or one of Marrakech Best Restaurants.
►Spend the night at the 5 Star Luxury Riad in Marrakech.
(Breakfast Included. Lunch & Dinner Not Included.)

Seaside Essaouira

MARCH 11th: Marrakech – Essaouira Guided Historical Tour► Rise, breakfast at your Riad. Then take the road to visit the seaside port of Essaouira.
►The journey to this former Portuguese fishing village offers up only a few roadside towns and the occasional Berber village.
►In the ’60s and ’70s, Essaouira was a pitstop on the hippie trek from Marrakesh. Jimi Hendrix made the pilgrimage, as did Bob Marley and Cat Stevens. Essaouira was the inspiration for Hendrix’s song “Castles Made of Sand”.
► Visit this sea-side medieval town that boasts lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries and mouthwatering seafood.
► Take a stroll along the town’s sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan and the Skala du Port, the fishing harbor, offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts.
►Explore the ramparts and the spice and jewelry souks of the medina. Your guide will take you to the old Jewish Mellah and explain the entire history of Essaouira.
► The medina of Essaouira (formerly “Mogador”) is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town.
► Have lunch at the fish-grill cafes, with wooden tables and benches laid out overlooking the sea.
► After lunch visit Orson Welles’ Square and memorial, designed by Samir Mustapha, one of the towns artists, which pays homage to Orson Welles filming of Othello in Essouaria. ▶Dinner in Marrakech. Your Riad or one of Marrakech Best Restaurants.
►Spend the night at the 5 Star Luxury Riad in Marrakech.
(Breakfast Included. Lunch & Dinner Not Included.)

MARCH 12th: Marrakech – Casablanca Deprature►Breakfast at your Riad, then take the road to Casablanca. Departure from Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

A leading Marrakech Spa, Les Bains De Marrakech offers Marrakech travelers the optimum wellness experience. For expats living in Marrakech, Morocco or those traveling to the Imperial City on a Marrakech holiday, Le Bains is the place to go. Les Bains de Marrakech is an elegant spa, occupying half of an old Riad in the southern Kasbah quarter of the Marrakech Medina. Les Bains de Marrakech is located in the Kasbah district, just five minutes from the Koutoubia mosque and Jemaa el Fna. Les Bains De Marrakech offers a full range of treatments, from water draining massage to shiatsu, plus gommage (loofah scrub) and body exfoliating cleaning in a traditional hammam. Combining the most ancient beauty rituals with modern techniques.

Les Bains de Marrakech offers Spa goers the opportunity to discover a world of fitness and well-being provided by competent professionals. Formulas using Argan Oil, Rose water and other secret ingredients combine different treatment sessions and massages, exfoliation, steam or ritual oriental that recharge energy. For a full treatment at Les Bains De Marrakech, plan on spending approximately $70 for a 45-minute gommage plus an hourlong massage. In the world of upscale Spas, Les Bains De Marrakech offers a great deal for the price.

Marrakech Spa, Le Bains De Marrakech Relaxation Room

Unlike some other local hammams in Marrakech, Les Bains de Marrakesh is very Westernized and the staff guides the uninitiated through the process (steam, cold-water rinse, perhaps more steam, another rinse before the gommage; then a massage; and lots of time to cool down with a glass of mint tea). Reservations at Les Bains De Marrakech are a must and should be made as far in advance as possible with this popular Spa retreat center.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration in the USA at 1 (800) 787-8806 or in Morocco 1 (212)618-88-26-81 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Kasbah Telouet is one of Morocco’s most impressive Kasbahs. Most travelers who visit Kasbah Telouet opt to see it when en route to the Ouarzazate. The village of Telouet and this renowned Kasbah can be reached by Moroccan piste. Kasbah Telouet also makes for an excellent one-day excursion from Marrakech.Located along the former route of the caravans in Morocco’s High Atlas Kasbah Telouet is just twenty minutes from the Tizin-Tichka-Pass.

Kasbah Telouet Village

Kasbah Telouet has a rich history that is intertwined with the French. It is located in a fertile valley surrounded by palm, fig and olive trees. The Kasbah stands alone with its original zellij tile decorated with the Jewish Star of David, preserved silks and grand remnants of the El Pacha Glaoui family. The Kasbah’s painted wooden ceiling and low level corridors within the interior of the Kasbah lead to two well preserved Andalusian style reception rooms. These rooms are engraved with stuccowork and colorful zellij. To visit Kasbah Telout is see one of Morocco’s hidden jewels. It lies at an elevation of 1,800 meters and lays claim to magnificent views that overlook the Berber village of Telouet.

Unlike the other Kasbahs in Southern Morocco, Kasbah Telout was occupied by the Glaoui family instead of being used for slaves or only as a fortress. Kasbah Telouet has yet to be coined a UNESCO World Heritage site. While it appears in parts to be in ruins on the exterior, its interior Kasbah Telouet is one of true splendor.

Ounila Valley, Southern Morocco

For the adventurous traveler Kabash Telouet and the Berber village surrounding it can also be reached on a journey that starts in Ouarzazate and takes one through the majestic Ounila Valley. The Ounila Valley offers a scenic drive and is full of geologic history. The Ounila Valley gives insight into what flora, fauna and fossils existed in Morocco centuries ago. The changing colors and variation of the Ounila Valley in spring and fall also make it the perfect region for those traveling to Morocco to photograph scenery. Rest assured that when planning a trip to Morocco or Morocco’s Sahara Desert that Kasbah Telouet is one historic site not to be missed.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration in the USA at 1 (800) 787-8806 or in Morocco 1 (212)618-88-26-81 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Casablanca offers a combination of Jewish Heritage and Jewish sites that can be seen on a Casablanca one-day tour or in context of a longer Morocco Imperial City tour. In almost every Moroccan city there is a Jewish presence that can be felt whether it be within the ancient Jewish cemeteries, synagogues, mellahs, or in monuments of Muslim rulers who historically maintained strong ties with the Jewish community.

The synagogues, cemeteries, monuments and communal institutions located in the Imperial city and economic capital of Casablanca show how important the city has been to the Jewish community during the twentieth century. Some of the Jewish Heritage sites seen on a one-day Casablanca Jewish tour range from the Jewish Mellah to the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, a visit to a Jewish Synagogue, the Jewish cemetery with the option of a kosher lunch.

Jewish Cemetery, Casablanca

The mellah of Casablanca is just about a century old. It peeks the senses with its sea of women in brightly colored djellabas carrying and selling fruit and vegetables throughout the tiny, narrow streets. While Jews no longer live in the mellah, kosher butchers can be found in the old market, next to other butchers selling horse meat.

The Jewish cemetery in the mellah is open and quiet, with well-kept white stone markers in French, Hebrew and Spanish. Once a year, the Jews of Casablanca celebrate a hiloula, or prayer festival, at the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou.

Currently Casablanca has approximately 4,500 Jews who live outside the mellah in the new city, where they worship in over 30 synagogues, eat in kosher restaurants, entertain themselves in community centers, and attend Jewish schools and social service centers.

Jewish Synagogue, Casablanca

Temple Beth-El is the largest synagogue and an important community center in Casablanca, Morocco. While the city boasts 30 synagogues, Beth-El, is often considered the centerpiece of a once vibrant Jewish community. Its stained glass windows and other artistic elements, is what attracts tourists to this synagogue.

The Museum of Moroccan Judaism of Casablanca is a museum of history and ethnography, created by the Jewish Community of Casablanca in 1997 with the support of the Foundation of Jewish-Moroccan Cultural Heritage. The Jewish Museum in Casablanca is tucked into a residential neighborhood and holds a treasure trove with it being the Arab region’s only Jewish Museum. It uses world-class standards of conservation for its national and international collections. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism presents religious, ethnographic and artistic objects that demonstrate the history, religion, traditions and daily life of Jews in the context of Moroccan civilization.

The Museum, which covers an area of 700 square meters, is the first of its kind in the Arab world. It consists of:

A large multipurpose room, used for exhibitions of painting, photography and sculpture

Three other rooms, with windows containing exhibits on religious and family life (oil lamps, Torahs, Chanukah lamps, clothing, marriage contracts (ketubot) Torah covers…) and exhibits on work life;

Two rooms displaying complete Moroccan synagogues;

A document library, a video library and a photo library.

The Museum offers guided visits, sponsors seminars and conferences on Jewish-Moroccan history and culture, and organizes video and slide presentations. On special request, it organizes group visits in Arabic, French, English or Spanish.

Casablanca is also the home of the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in the world. The Jewish community contributed to the construction of this mosque, which was inaugurated in 1994. Some Jews visit annually the Muslim shrine of Sidi Belyout, Casablanca’s patron saint. Many Jews of Casablanca celebrate the hiloula of the saint Yahia Lakhdar in Ben Ahmed, about an hour south of Casablanca near the town of Settat.

Cercle de L’Alliance is one of the centers/buildings where Jews from Casablanca hang around. The bottom floor/lobby is where people sit around, smoke cigars or cigarettes and socialize. You will also find a small bar and a mid size restaurant on the same floor with great appetizers and outstanding food (Kabobs, Steaks, Hamburgers etc).

D.E.J. J. is a restaurant that primarily serves dairy, pizzas, salads and pastas. Meat is not served here.

La Truffe offers skewered chicken accompanied with sides of bread, salad, olives and pickles. It is the most reasonably priced kosher restaurant located in the downtown area of Casablanca across from the medina.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration in the USA at 1 (800) 787-8806 or in Morocco 1 (212)618-88-26-81 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

When considering a vacation or holiday to Morocco choosing an Authentic Morocco Tour company such as Travel Exploration Morocco that offers Testimonials and Trip Advice is an important way to begin planning a Morocco travel journey. When choosing a Morocco Travel Agency some of the most important things to consider are:

1. Reputation of the Morocco travel agency you choose. Ask for references and Morocco Testimonials to be sure you are traveling through a reputable Morocco Tour Operator.

7. ASTA Membership- The American Associate of Travel Agencies offers online references for quality Morocco Tour Operators and Morocco Travel Agencies. Make sure you travel with an agency that is a member of ASTA.

Travel Exploration Morocco guarantees Authentic Morocco Tours and Authentic Morocco Travel and Tour Testimonials that can be found on our website which demonstrate the kind of travel experience, cultural amenities and impeccable service we offer to those traveling to Morocco. Once of our most recent guest who took a 10 Day cultural tour to Morocco with Travel Exploration stated in their Morocco travel testimonial:

” We have been home for 2 weeks from our Travel Exploration Morocco Private Tour and would to share some thoughts about our phenomenal trip to Morocco. Alecia Cohen did a wonderful job in making the arrangements for our 10 Ten Day Private Morocco Tour. Ms. Cohen’s responsiveness to our many emails and questions involved in the planning process of our trip was excellent. The Riads Ms. Cohen hand- selected for us were wonderful and Travel Exploration’s Historical Guides were simply wonderful. All of the guides demonstrated great historic knowledge and the driver that was assigned by Travel Exploration for our tour was simply the best. Morocco was a wonderful country to visit. From the sand dunes of the Sahara to the snow capped mountains of the High Atlas and the variety in between (lush valleys, rushing waters, deep canyons, arid desert, beautiful rock formations, and lush palm trees oases). Morocco is a land full of contrasts – all easily seen in 10 days. There were many contrasts that struck me as wonderful from the ancient medinas (old cities) in Marrakech and Fes as well as the Kasbahs in Ouarzazate alongside the modern movie making industry there. The day we spent driving through the Ourika Valley and climbing to the Setti Fatima, Seven Water Falls was special as was the memorable day we spent at the Roman Ruins at Volubilis and the Imperial Cities of Meknes. Besides our wonderful, wonderful driver, Ismail (Smain), the employees of the Riads and the Guesthouses were kind and friendly. Those at Riad Myra in Fes truly spoiled us. We can heartily recommend Travel Exploration Morocco! We would be happy to talk at length (or briefly) to anyone who would like to contact us who is planning on booking a tour.”

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or 1 (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Travel Exploration is a Morocco Tour agency that offers a unique and wide range of Morocco travel opportunities through its boutique Morocco travel itineraries. Travel Exploration Morocco’s Director, Alecia J. Cohen heads up Morocco Travel’s New York and Ouarzazate office. Alecia J. Cohen started Travel Exploration Morocco with business partner Hossaine Amiri after living, traveling and engaging with Moroccan Culture alongside its people for nine years. Ms. Cohen was inspired to create a Morocco travel agency that offers unique, tailor-made cultural tours and customized trips to Morocco to better serve Americans, Europeans and Foreigners who are looking for affordable luxury and cultural Morocco Tours.

Ms. Alecia J. Cohen is an expert on Moroccan travel, culture and the domain of magazine print/ online publishing as well as the subject of “world music.” Alecia J. Cohen is the Founder of Global Rhythm Magazine and Globalrhythm.net. Ms.Cohen is also the former Associate Publisher Zenbu Media Group and spent 3 years leading the publishing company’s expansion of Relix, Metal Edge, Metal Maniacs niche music magazines alongside spearheading the premier of a Country Life USA- a Country Music & Lifestyle magazine.

Ms. Alecia J. Cohen has lectured at the World Bank on Culture & Sustainable Development in Africa and been featured in various print and TV venues including CNN Financial News, Entrepreneurial Edge, Crain’s and Entrepreneur.

As a Morocco Travel Specialist, Alecia J. Cohen launched Travel Exploration Morocco Agency with the goal to offer a wide range of services to Moroccan travelers and travel agents who are looking for authentic Moroccan travel experiences for themselves or their guests- with the guarantee of first class services while traveling in Morocco.

The services that Travel Exploration Morocco provides range from:

– Planning a Morocco Tour From Start to Finish to Morocco’s Imperial Cities, the Sahara region and sea side resorts.

– Providing a Detailed Morocco Travel Itinerary for Imperial City Tours and one-day excursions from all regions of Morocco including Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fes, Meknes.

– Private Morocco Guide & Private Morocco Hosting services for Americans and foreigners traveling to Morocco who are interested in specialty services such as research, Shopping for Moroccan textiles, Moroccan carpets or Moroccan clothing styles along with research trips for educators and university students.

– Creating and Hosting New Boutique, Special Morocco Tours for Moroccan Travelers looking for a reason to travel or for an impromptu adventure.

The new boutique tour recently launched by Travel Exploration is, Bead Your Way To Morocco – Trade Bead & Treasure Hunting Tour with Source Collector and Moroccan/ Jewelry Expert, Sarah Corbett. This new tour edition offers a striking example of the private services and Moroccan Specialist opportunities available in Morocco.

If you are a travel agent and would like to offer our range of holidays to your clients, please get in touch with Travel Exploration Morocco. We work actively with the travel trade and will also provide you with our range of holiday brochures in PDF files.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or 1 (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Morocco 4×4 Tours offer the best way to discover the Sahara Desert & Berber Villages in the Maghreb. When visiting a country like Morocco, your journey is best served when traveling by luxury accommodations to the Sahara Desert such as a 4×4 Toyota Land cruiser. A Morocco Travel journey to the Sahara Desert and Berber Villages offers the opportunity to discover old pistes (windy roads) that were once traveled through by the old caravans.

Covering the routes of the old caravans and rocky Sahara Desert pistes is best done in a 4×4 when touring Morocco. A Morocco 4×4 Tour allows you as a Moroccan traveler and your family to visit tiny Berber villages and hamlets that are located throughout the country’s Sahara and Atlas Mountain regions in relative ease and comfort.

When traveling in a 4×4 during your Morocco Tour, you will also be able to feel care free as a result of long distances that exists between cities such, as Marrakech and Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate and the Merzouga Sahara Desert, Ouarzaztae and the M’hamid Sahara Desert and Marrakech and the Tizi N’ Tichka pass. 4×4 Morocco Travel enables guests who take a private tour to Morocco to relax in comfort in between arriving at their local Morocco holiday destinations.

Morocco 4×4 Tours also offer a kind of unique adventure that cannot be found when traveling in large tour buses or small cars in Morocco. A 4×4 Morocco Tour feels more like a Morocco expedition then a standard Morocco vacation. Morocco 4×4 Tours are your key traveling through the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert and Tizi N’ Tickha Mountains with the utmost ease. A 4×4 enables Moroccan travelers to see a wide range of stunning Moroccan scenery and the option to be free and stop to take photographs at leisure.

4×4 Morocco Travel also allow for a customized Morocco Tour itinerary. When traveling throughout Morocco in a 4×4 there is an opportunity to explore a variety of different routes within the Sahara and Atlas Mountain regions then when traveling by bus or car. Some say, that to see the “Real Morocco,” a journey must be done in no less the 10 days in Morocco and the best way to accomplish this is on a private Morocco 4×4 Morocco Tour. Traveling in a 4×4 also offers the privacy to explore on your Morocco vacation without the nuisance of other travelers.

Morocco 4×4 Tours also offer 4×4 excursions to the cities of Marrakech and Ouarzazate. As a Morocco Travel Agency and Destination Management company based in Ouarzazate, Travel Exploration Morocco promises to deliver the best on road and off road experience during a 4×4 Morocco Tour. With our American-Moroccan partnership, Travel Exploration Morocco guarantees that our guests will discover the best of Morocco through our expertise of planning and placement in the best Riads in Marrakech, the best Riads in Fes, the best Riads in Ouarzazate and luxury bivouacs in the Sahara Desert.

Travel Exploration Morocco also works with the top 4 and 5 Star Riads in Morocco that offer a palace-like unique atmosphere with spectacular Moroccan Food. In Southern Morocco Travel Exploration Morocco works with some of the best Riads and Guesthouses that offer the most majestic views and magnificent traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Travel Exploration Morocco is a proud member of ASTA– the American Association of Travel Agents. As a member of ASTA, Travel Exploration Morocco guarantees our guests trip through an ensured plan. ASTA- The American Association of Travel Agents offers Americans, Europeans and other foreigners the option to travel with ease, knowing that the Morocco Travel Agency and American- Moroccan Destination Management Company that travel agents collaborate with is officially approved by American Travel counterparts.

When planning a Morocco 4×4 Tour it is important to consider the wide variety of options that agencies offer. Some helpful tips that will make your Morocco 4×4 Tour….simply the best.

Make a list of what is most important to you during your Morocco 4×4 Tour and ask the Morocco Travel Agency to answer the questions you have in full detail.

Ask a Morocco Travel Agency or Morocco Destination Management Company what they plan to provide you with during your 4×4 Morocco Tour that is different from others travel agencies which will enable you to have the best Morocco travel experience.

Make sure that the Travel Agency you book a Morocco Tour with is either a member of ASTA- American Travel Association or a member of his/ her own country’s Travel Association. A true sign of this is for the Morocco Travel Agency to have the logo of the association they are a member of posted on their website and included in their brochures. You can also log on to ASTA- American Association of Travel Agents website and check if an agency is a member.

Make sure that the Morocco Travel Agency you work with during a Morocco 4×4 Tour guarantees that they will spend more per guest and on your comfort through providing the best quality Riads or Hotels and food accommodations. Travel Exploration Morocco has a reputation of spending 20% more per guest to ensure safe, enjoyable and comfortable travel and accommodations. This is a must when traveling to the Maghreb.

A good Morocco Travel Agency always asks you questions about yourself, lets you know that, as the guest who is traveling to Morocco, you come first and provides you with a complete organized list of what to bring for your travel experience.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or 1 (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.